ADVERSITY


                 "In the day of prosperity be happy,
                     But in the day of adversity
                          consider - ...."
                             Eccl.7:14


      The winds of adversity blow strongly and in every direction.
Eventually everyone feels the weight of some severe trial, hardship,
misfortune, or setback. Your present situation is not what you
anticipated or planned. Why did it happen? Who is to blame?
      Did you knowingly and willfully violate your conscience? Is this
adversity the result of sin on your part? Is it an act of evil on the
part of another toward you? Or is this adversity the work of God?
      The Key to overcoming adversity is the proper response. Finding
someone to blame is a dead-end street. If you choose to respond properly,
you can turn your setback into a steppingstone to greater success. You
can advance through your adversity. By your reaction, it can destroy you
or develop you into the person God created you to be. The choice is
yours.
      What is the proper response? This simple prayer: "God, what are You
up to in my life?" The key to turning your adversity into advancement is
looking at it from God's viewpoint. No matter what may appear to be the
cause, purpose to learn from it. Consider the following:

      ADVERSITY IS GOD'S WAY OF GETTING OUR ATTENTION. Has He been the
priority in your life, or have you ignored His will for your own? Your
difficulty may be a signal that you need a priority change. (Matt.6:33)
It is time for self-examination.

      ADVERSITY IS GOD'S WAY OF REMINDING US THAT HE LOVES US. He
chastens those He loves. (Hebrews 12:5-6) His purpose is to protect you
from completely destroying yourself.

      ADVERSITY IS GOD'S WAY OF CONQUERING PRIDE. Success often breeds
pride which in turn leads to failure. "God is opposed to the proud, but
gives grace to the humble" (1 Peter 5:5). Adversity has a way of
stripping away pride.

      ADVERSITY IS GOD'S WAY OF REMINDING US OF OUR WEAKNESSES. When your
back is to the wall and there seems to be no way out, you suddenly
recognize you are not sufficient in yourself. You need the Lord. The
Apostle Paul learned through his adversity that in his weakness he became
strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10)

      ADVERSITY IS GOD'S WAY Of DEMONSTRATING HIS FAITHFULNESS. Your
helpless state is God's opportunity to keep His promises to you. "The
righteous cry and the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their
troubles" (Psalm 34:17).

      ADVERSITY IS GOD'S WAY OF PREPARING US TO COMFORT OTHERS. You
become more useful to God and others through your own suffering. You
should view your trials as a profitable period of equipping for ministry.
(2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

       ADVERSITY IS GOD'S WAY OF INCREASING OUR HATRED OF EVIL. Your
hardship is often of your own making. Whatever you sow, you will reap.
(Galatians 6:7-8) Heat purifies; hot water keeps one clean. Yesterday's
adversity is strong motivation for today's obedience.

Genesis 50:20, Psalm 49:5, 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

ADVERSITY - is a setback from which we can take our greatest leap forward